Tejgaon airport to remain as capital’s 2nd aerodrome

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina unveils the plaque of new VVIP complex of Bangladesh Air Force Base Bashar in the capital on Saturday. Photo: PMO

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Tejgaon old airport, the first international aviation facility of the country, would remain as the capital’s second aerodrome and continue to run under the Bangladesh Air Force command.
“Operation of this airport will never be closed and it will remain as a Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) base,” she said inaugurating a new VVIP complex of Bangladesh Air Force Base Bashar in the capital on Saturday.
The premier said a quarter was out to take away the land of the facility to be used to erect high rise buildings “but, so far I’m in the power, I’ll not allow it”. “They will have to abandon the plan of constructing high rise building around the airport,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina, however, asked the air force to enhance the utility of the airport through enhanced aviation movements.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Kader, Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, chiefs of three armed services and senior air force officials were present on the occasion.